Moving Up And Down At The NHL Entry Draft: 2001 – 2011

What does it cost for a team to move up at the NHL Draft? What can a team gain by moving down?

The following table shows every move up and down in the first round between 2001 and 2011 that involved only draft picks – in other words, these are strictly pick-for-pick trades. San Jose was by far the most aggressive team in this time period, orchestrating six trades that saw them move up in the draft order. Anaheim and Calgary were the clubs most willing to move down, each doing so on five occasions. A pick listed in brackets () was one that the team moving down gave up along with the higher pick.

Year

Moving Up

Pick(s)

Moving Down

Picks

2002

Columbus

1

Florida

3*

2003

Pittsburgh

1

Florida

3, 55 (78)

2004

Carolina

4

Columbus

8, 59

2008

Toronto

5

N.Y. Islanders

7, 37, 68

2008

Nashville

7

N.Y. Islanders

9, 40

2005

San Jose

8

Atlanta

12, 49, 207

2002

Florida

9

Calgary

10, 99

2007

San Jose

9

St. Louis

13, 44, 87

2001

Phoenix

11

Calgary

14, 41

2008

Buffalo

12

Los Angeles

13, 74

2008

Los Angeles

12

Anaheim

17, 28

2009

N.Y. Islanders

12

Minnesota

16, 77, 181

2005

N.Y. Rangers

12

Atlanta

16, 41

2002

Washington

13

Dallas

26, 42, 185

2002

Montreal

14

Edmonton

15, 245

2010

Los Angeles

15

Florida

19, 59

2008

Ottawa

15

Nashville

18, 70

2007

Minnesota

16

Anaheim

19, 42

2009

N.Y. Islanders

16

Columbus

26, 37, 62, 92 (77)

2003

San Jose

16

Boston

21, 66, 107

2006

San Jose

16

Montreal

20, 53

2003

New Jersey

17

Edmonton

22, 68

2007

St. Louis

18

Calgary

24, 70

2004

N.Y. Rangers

19

Calgary

24, 46 (247)

2005

Florida

20

Philadelphia

29, 41

2009

New Jersey

20

Calgary

23, 84

2004

New Jersey

20

Dallas

22, 88

2009

Columbus

21

Anaheim

26, 37

2007

Edmonton

21

Phoenix

30, 36

2008

Washington

21

New Jersey

23, 54

2010

Montreal

22

Phoenix

27, 57 (113)

2004

San Jose

22

Dallas

28, 52, 91 (153)

2011

Toronto

22

Anaheim

30, 39

2008

Minnesota

23

New Jersey

24, 73

2001

Ottawa

23

Philadelphia

27, 34, 225

2001

Florida

24

New Jersey

44, 48

2011

Ottawa

24

Detroit

35, 48

2003

Florida

25

Tampa Bay

34, 41, 192

2006

St. Louis

25

New Jersey

30, 77

2005

Washington

27

Colorado

47, 52

2003

Anaheim

28

Dallas

36, 54

2008

Phoenix

28

Anaheim

35, 39

2007

San Jose

28

Washington

41, 57

2006

Phoenix

29

Detroit

41, 47 (152)

2009

Tampa Bay

29

Detroit

32, 75

2002

Atlanta

30

Columbus

41, 96

2010

N.Y. Islanders

30

Chicago

35, 58

*option to switch first round picks in 2003 (not exercised)

What does this mean for Nation Network teams?

The Oilers own the first overall pick. Twice in this time period, the first overall was moved strictly for picks, and in both cases the return was pretty minimal. If Edmonton is only interested in moving down one or two spots, history suggests other teams will not give up much to make that happen.

The Leafs own the fifth overall pick. They gave up two other strong draft choices to move up two spots last time around (much more than Pittsburgh paid to land the number one pick in 2003); based on the trades for fourth and seventh overall a second round pick (Toronto owns the 35th overall selection) is likely the cost to move up a spot or two or the return to move down a spot or two.

The Jets own the ninth overall pick. The cost for moving up a few spots is probably a second-round pick (Winnipeg owns the 39th overall selection) while the benefit of moving down a short distance is probably in the same range. For a drop of ~4 spots, the San Jose/St. Louis trade back in 2007 suggests that a second and a late third would probably be just recompense.

The Flames own the 14th overall pick. It would likely cost a second-round pick to move up a few positions, but the Flames have already traded away their 2012 and 2013 second round picks. They do have the 75th, 105th and 124th overall picks in this year’s draft that they could potentially trade. Moving down a couple of slots has historically fetched anywhere from a second-rounder to an eighth-rounder.

The Canucks own the 26th overall pick. They have the 57th and 147th overall picks if they want to try and move up, as well as all their picks next year, so it’s reasonable to think that they have the assets to move up to five slots higher, if there’s a willing partner. Trading down at this point in the draft usually fetches a pair of second round picks.

As for moving up to land an additional first-round pick, Edmonton owns the 32nd overall selection, Toronto the 35th and Winnipeg the 39th. Edmonton has the most assets to make a bid at moving up – a pair of third-round picks this year as well as a pair of second-round picks next year. Winnipeg has one third-rounder as well as two second-round and two third-round picks next year. Toronto would need to dip into next year’s draft to move up – they own both a second and third-round pick in 2013.

49 Comments |

The Oilers trading an NHL dman for an NHL dman are not helping themselves at all. That was the criticism of the Gilbert-Schultz trade. If they are trading for a bonafide NHL dman, they will have to acquire one by trading a forward/prospect/draft pick to improve.

I also wanted to comment on the Yakupov “attitude”, I read some even calling him a locker room cancer. I get it, I’ve met people like him, but I don’t see it as being a negative. I don’t see him as being full of himself, rather I see him being full of life. He likes to joke around, and that is good. Some of it is lost in translation, I’ve seen that before.

I think once his new teammates see how hard he works, they will understand that he is a good team mate. With someone like Khabibulin around, it will only help him. If the Oilers don’t ake him, they are making a huge mistake.

I noticed Tambellini mentioned with Rishaug that they wanted someone with the right character, I think Nail has it, and that is a desire to win, to be the best and to work hard. If they can swing a deal to pick up Galyenchuk, that would make this day so much sweeter.

I would be willing to trade next yr’s first for Columbus’s 2nd Overall along with Gagner and Peckham and one of Columbus’s top 4 dmen. I think the time is now, and hopefully Columbus might like the prospect of getting a high pick in a deep draft next year.

If the Oilers can significantly improve the D corps in front of Dubnyk, and add/move some pieces on the 3/4 lines, this team will be close to a playoff spot. Time will tell.

Ooooo…that 2003 draft year still stings. The deepest draft ever and the Oilers walked away with nothing when they had the opportunity to draft guys like Getzlaf, Parise, Richards, Carter, Perry. The fate of the Oilers could have been very different if they got it right.

You are bang on. Getting a top 4 dman Yak and Gal puts us awfuly close to playoffs this year and very close to completing the rebuild.

Leaves us 1 dman short (please let J Schultz sign with us) and an upgrade at back up would be nice. I would prefer another young goalie with potential to push Dubnyk for the starting role.

Hell, I would sweeten your offer if needed to include any 3 of our 1st from next year, a second, and a third from next year(Our choice as we have 2 in each round) Gagner, Hemsky, Peckam, Teubert, Barker, Belanger, Eager, or Hordichuk.

Top 6 is bigger, stronger, faster, and more skilled then many many years. Would compare to any team in the league. Bottom 6 is tough but better defensively then we have been in a while.

Defence still lacks a true #1, but I would be pretty happy with this rotation. All 6 Dmen are legit 2nd pair guys with upside. All but Whitney are young with additional potential and if Whitney returns to form becomes that #1 we want so badly.

Either way a huge improvement over our D for a lot of years.

Dubnyk will get the chance to prove he is a true #1 in front of a solid group of D. Most top goalies seem to play behind good D. This is not a coincidence.

@ Cody- I see your lineup and on paper it looks good, but realisticly, it lacks one thing: experience.

I am not knocking the idea of aggressively going after some of the players listed on your proposed roster, but we would be fielding a quasi-CHL/AHL/NHL team in 2012-13 and most likely back for another lottery pick next year.

Would love to have some more quality vets…..but the ones we had this year were as big a problem as the holes in the roster. In the top 6, I believe they have to give Paajarvi a good chance to succeed or trade him before they ruin his confidence. Gal May need another year, and if we could send him to the AHL I would…….but how much will he get out of another year in junior?

My best guess is, even if we got Samuelsson he will not be ready next year and a vet would be in his spot. The same could be said for Lander. He may nead another year, but really is he going to be any worse then Belanger. I think Hartikainan looked descent last year and is the answer to the size we need.

I think sub in a vet or 2 with sandpaper for next year and this is a legit lineup the following year.

Disagree with Paajarvi. He is not really a bruiser and I think he needs to play with skill players to play effectively. If he were to play on the 2nd line with Yak and Gal it may be the fastest line in the league.

Hartikainan, is one of those huys not unlike jones that can really play anywhere in your lineup. I see him improving a lot in the next couple of years. He is big, physical and very willing to engage. His foot speed is not great, but is improving.

I agree Vandevelde looked better last year but i believe he is a career AHL player where I see more upside for Lander. I see Lander effectively taking belanger’s role at a much lower cost.

I was only looking at the one trade. Would love to see a proven centre in that role. Someone big, fast, and physical. Someone who could be promoted to the 3rd line when Horcoff’s monster contract is complete.

There are plenty of ways to improve the club and I have seen many people that have listed trades with 5+ teams and 10+ players. Hard to picture our great team with only the 1 rounders on it.

I would guess it is far fetched to get Gal and Yak and we are probably all dreaming.

I agree it would be odd for them to tell the player beforehand. Equally odd for the player’s brother to tell the world about it beforehand. Could also be Twitter “forging” as I would call it, I’ve definitely seen that before. Interesting nonetheless.

I think we need to think of Magnus as a very good complimentary player for the other kids. He’s got good speed, very responsible defensively for a kid his age. He just needs to keep it simple, utilize his skill set and get to the scoring zone. Magnus doesn’t have the one-on-one talent of the other kids, but he doesn’t need it to be successful. There’s plenty of skill out there. Compliment the rest of the line and success will come.

Murray will be a solid d-man for over a decade. Sounds like a stand-up guy with leadership qualities. Sometimes the right under-the-radar complimentary player is exactly what’s needed to bring out the best in what you already have. A team is more than the sum of its players so to speak.

It’s unfortunate that they have to use the first overall pick to do that, but hey, none of us are in that scouting room. If they see something, they see something and only time will tell if they are right.